Birds at Castle Espie.

No, not the real birds. There's plenty of those flying about at Castle Espie but I was there to see an exhibition, 'FLYING SOLO' by Emma Hall.

I was interested in the little blue tit I'd seen on the card advertising Emma's exhibition as I had also made a blue tit recently.

Emma's was a lovely little needle-felted blue tit and so realistic, I was very impressed with the feet and claws on all her birds.

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There was a brilliant display of stitched toadstools on the mantelpiece. 

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This owl had a coat made with scraps of fabric and stitching and a lacy tummy!

Aren't they gorgeous? The nicest thing was a hedgehog curled up in some hay - and this owl was so cute with that fluffy tummy.

There were other needle-felted birds and animals, some paintings and embroidery.

It was a really lovely exhibition, I came away inspired to do better!

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From Castle Espie we headed off round Strangford to Downpatrick.

We stopped off at the Down County Museum and Historic Gaol.

This exhibition is on and there was a lot of jewellery on display, I would have needed ages to look at it all properly!

Too much stuff and I get confused but it is great for anyone with an interest in jewellery.

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On to Newcastle and a walk along the promenade.

If you look through the gap in this spire you see the top of Slieve Donard.

Turn around and you're looking towards the Slieve Donard Hotel.

Turn again and it's out to sea. 

                                               Then across the road and fish and chips for tea!

NIEG Exhibition.

'Sew Beautiful - Size does not matter.'

I went and had a look at this exhibition at Cregagh library yesterday.
It was in a bright and airy room and all the canvases were nicely hung on ribbons. I was impressed with that.
Here, I am studying the work of Yvonne Williams - and on the left of Yvonne's are three pieces from Carolyn MacDougall.
Ha! My two arch-enemies from college days when we were all doing C&G together.
Also, in that grouping, there is an exhibit from Linda Charlton who taught me patchwork and inspired me to take up the C&G courses in the first place. At the time there were no courses running for Patchwork so I took the Creative Embroidery as a second choice. I'm glad I did.
Why have I not joined this Guild? I haven't figured that one out yet.

another dimension

I've been to see the F. E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio today and my favourite exhibit just happened to be the Chicken Train, seen on the flyer. I think this was made from card but couldn't be sure.

I was impressed with this diverse exhibition from the Seacourt Print Workshop.

I went outside to the studio, a near replica of McWilliam's studio-workshop, where a group of ladies were busy at a Printmaking:Drypoint Workshop. I watched as they etched designs onto perspex before inking and printing onto paper. Looked like fun!

NIEG Exhibition

I went to see this exhibition of work by the NI Embroidery Guild today. When I was doing City & Guilds Diploma there was just the two of us, me and Carolyn. It was tough going at times and we helped each other along the way. I watched her work on this metal piece --- from inspiration to design to the finished article. Hours of work but all worth it.
It looked beautiful today hanging in a glass case with the light filtering through.

Oops...realize photography not allowed but I did ask permission.

Note to self: join NIEG next year.

Form and Fabric

Today I went to see this collective exhibition of fabric, bronze and batik works at Castle Espie Gallery,Comber,Co. Down. I particularly liked Olive Clegg's hats.

The ducks at the Wetland Centre were good too!